Top Spots To Rent Sicily Villas

In the global impression of Italy shared by most foreigners, Sicily’s main claim to fame will likely be one of two aspects: either its large stretches of pristine beaches or its reputation as the birthplace of the Cosa Nostra. And yet, as thousands of visitors discover each year, the island at the tip of the boot has much more to offer; natural beauty, quaint towns, amazing food and a generous heap of history are all part of what makes this island such a charming place to visit when touring Italy.

As most travellers coming to the region will know, one of the best ways to discover all the area has to offer is booking one of the many options for private-rental accommodation in Sicily. Villas abound and offer the perfect mix of luxury, intimacy and invariably idyllic settings. This type of accommodation allows visitors to the region to discover its charms in their own time, and without the pressure of dealing with large crowds or being bound to scheduled tours.

Of course, depending on the main motivation for visiting Sicily, villas can be chosen for their location in a specific part of the island. Below, we have elaborated a small list detailing which regions are best for which purposes, to help potential visitors.

For Natural Beauty

As noted above, the island is renowned for its natural beauty. Aside from its many scenic landscapes, the region is home to the imposing Mount Etna, an active volcano that remains one of the area’s main tourist draws. As such, it is only natural that for visitors first arriving to Sicily, villas will be chosen for their proximity to the island’s many natural wonders.

In this regard, the best places in which to rent a place may be the Aeolian islands – if you're looking for miles of white, sandy beaches – or Catania, which despite being one of the largest urban centres in the region is very picturesque in its own right (and a perfect base from which to visit Mount Etna). Each location offers vastly distinct atmospheres, but neither will displease visitors looking to enjoy the best of Sicily’s natural landscapes.

For Culture And History

Beautiful views are not, however, the only thing playing in the island's favour. The region also offers a wealth of fascinating culture and history. The area was, at one time or another, populated by no less than eight different peoples, with remains of Greek and Roman occupation still visible to this day.

Travellers wishing to explore all of the island’s fascinating past have plenty of choice in Sicily. Villas close to Palermo or Syracuse will open up a whole world of history. As large urban centres, these locations are ideal places to learn about the area's colourful history through their wealth of museums, galleries and cathedrals. Sellinute, a ruined Ancient Greek city, is also a must-see highlight, and easily accessible from Syracuse.

Whatever a traveller’s purpose may be for visiting this delightful region, they are likely to find a location to suit their needs – all it takes is a little browsing in order to uncover it.

Jonathan Magoni is Senior Manager of Cottages to Castles, a family owned company specialising in high quality holiday villas, apartments and cottages in Italy. For spectacular Sicily villas or accommodation in the Italian lakes, ski resorts or city centres, we offer only the very best. Discover Italy at your own pace and without time restrictions in our hand picked villas and cottages.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.